Comments on: Knock Out Depression With Exercisehttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/
Men's Interests and LifestyleTue, 31 Mar 2015 12:20:00 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1By: Kjaamorhttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-530551
Wed, 25 Dec 2013 00:07:14 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-530551As a professional working in Mental Health, I felt that the article, whilst obviously well-intentioned, displayed some major misunderstandings not only in terms of the condition itself but also in terms of the referenced articles.

I fully agree with the assertion that the overwhelming majority of people suffering from depression would benefit from regular exercise – particularly in the group settings used in the referenced study. I do, however, strongly dispute the suggestion that SSRIs are a negative influence or inappropriate on the basis that exercise is also beneficial.

This is a relatively minor criticism of the blog but you ask “when was the last time you heard of a doctor prescribing exercise to a depressed patient?” For yourself, I assume the answer is never. For me it was in the last week. I am not US-based, but my understanding is that the situation is not so wholly different there.

I do believe that there are people who will read your article and benefit from it. However I fear that there are others still who upon taking your advice could place themselves in at best unnecessarily difficult and at worst highly dangerous situations. Frankly the situation is not helped with your final paragraph talking of ‘responsibility’, which unfortunately is something of a by-word for ‘blame’. I need hardly suggest that such terms are grossly inappropriate.

I reiterate that I respect the positive nature this article intended to have, and I shall continue to read and enjoy other articles on this site. This article, however, is in need of serious review and, and I hope that this final criticism can be taken in the best possible way, the author would do well to significantly improve the breadth and depth of his subject matter before advising people with serious clinical conditions stop their treatment.

@Allan
It is nice to see Szasz mentioned! The book of which you speak is actually at arms length from me at this very moment! While I agree that modern psychiatry almost certainly deserves some major beefs, the likes of Szasz have played a very influential role in shaping modern it. Naturally it is an ongoing process, and often a case of being ‘two steps forward, one step back’. Still, I felt that Szasz’s criticisms were, quite rightly, that Psychiatry was overvaluing itself as a medical discipline when he regarded it as more of a pseudo-science.

Still, while unquestionably work remains, I would disagree with your suggestion that medical treatment and working through problems are in any way mutually exclusive. Similarly, neither does being an autonomous being prevent the existance of chemical imbalances or a social environment. I also have to disagree to the implication that no empirical testing has support the use of medication. Due to the complex nature of the human mind, the personal results vary in scope but the benefits of the great majority of such medications have been proved time and time again. No professional worth their registration would suggest that medication is the only worthwhile path to becoming better, but it is one of many valuable tools to doing so.

]]>By: Mat#$%http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-528701
Sat, 21 Dec 2013 23:43:22 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-528701I love boxing. I have had severe depression for 20 years. The time when I was boxing was a time when my depression was almost nonexistent. There has been no other time in the last 20 years where I walked free from depression. I would strongly encourage anyone with depression to find a sport that they enjoy and put all of you energy into it.
]]>By: Allanhttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-308632
Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:33:41 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-308632I think everything you said was very true. I have some things to say in regard to other commenters. People will call me arrogant and irresponsible for this, but I have a major beef with modern day Psychology. It takes human beings and turns them into animals. It takes away their autonomy. If you think differently then what is normal, you are diseased, have a ‘chemical imbalance in the brain’. Instead of promoting people to work through their problems and become better, they put them on crutches. People just accept these things as fact, despite the fact that no empirical testing has pointed to any such conclusion. People can change who they are and how they think, no matter how many chemicals they have in their brain. Read some on Thomas Szasz and his “The Myth of Mental Illness”. I hold it self evident that every human is an autonomous being and has his own free will to act, on not just be acted upon by the world, or some ‘chemical imbalance’.
]]>By: tonihttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-289472
Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:36:08 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-289472Taking andidepressants is like creating a army but that army needs to have a target and be organized, to have success. So one we take andipressants and feed our brain with chemicals. But in reality we need to use them. To use them by thinking constructivly and by not burning them in no necessary way.
]]>By: There’s More to Life Than Six Pack Abshttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-97820
Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:47:36 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-97820[…] your brain power, help your heart, prevent Alzheimers, alleviate stress, and knock out your depression. but if the focus of your workouts is […]
]]>By: MickGhttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-70883
Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:15:17 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-70883I think one thing that is being left out of this discussion is the fact that the claims made about antidepressants by drug companies are not proven to be 100% factual. So many people with depression go around talking about “chemical imbalances” and major depressive “disorder” and do not realize that all of this information is based on a theory that has to this day has not been scientifically proven to be 100% true. The comparison of depression to diabetes or any other measurable illness is invalid because unlike any of these diseases, major depressive disorder is a subjective diagnosis that cannot be accurately measured. In fact, evidence has been mounting for years that the “chemical imbalance theory” of depression and other mood disorders may not be true at all. A quick glance at the package insert/prescribing information of any SSRI on the market today will reveal that these drugs “may” or are “thought to work by correcting a chemical imbalance” however their exact mechanisms of action and effects of long term use are actually unknown. In addition, while there are some people out there that believe that they will have to take these drugs for the rest of their lives to correct this so-called chemical imbalance, the ugly truth is that they often stop working for people after 10-15 years of use. Furthermore, these drugs have been proven to increase the risk of suicide in children, teens, and young adults and the effects of long term use have not been studied. While they may have their place in life threatening situations for acute relief, they are no more fool proof or scientifically sound then recommendations of exercise and certainly far more risky.
]]>By: Billyhttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-59544
Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:41:19 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-59544Yes, depression is such a big topic for both men and women. People who do not understand depression usually have the mentality that all you need to do is ‘pull your socks up’. Well, no need for me to tell you that that is rubbish. But then to say, all you need to do is see a doctor, take some drugs and spend time with family is not that much different. To prescribe stuff for something so complex is always rubbish whether it is exercise or drugs.

I’ve not been diagnosed with depression so I find it hard to empathise with people who have it. Still many times, I’ve not been able to get through situations alone. I agree with the comment above that a man will be able to ask for help.

]]>By: Banizhttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-11928
Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:28:05 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-11928If you want my advice docters should prescibe them exercise and give them enough laughing gas that they have a smile on their face.
]]>By: Mehttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-5207
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:08:00 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-5207Great article. Thank you. I did it myself, I am curing my depression with exercise every day. This is the only way for me and it really really works. Also, I now look fantastic! That helps to some extent but the most important thing is just increased energy, endorphins, increased circulation, all the things that make me feel better and happier and stronger biochemically. Looking good alone isn’t enough but it helps to feel proud of my fit and strong body as well. Along with daily rebounding and pilates, I follow a raw food lifestyle.
]]>By: apollonianhttp://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/02/19/knock-out-depression-with-exercise/comment-page-1/#comment-3214
Fri, 16 May 2008 04:33:26 +0000http://artofmanliness.com/?p=53#comment-3214I just wanted to throw in with others who warn against suddenly stopping an anti-depressant regimen. Also, why shouldn’t one use both medication and exercise to address depression? Like others have mentions, medication can offer a jump start that makes self-improvement efforts manageable.